Haukland is one of the numerous splinter-states born out of the Griffonian Empire’s collapse. Lead by the eccentric flying ace Hermann Meyer, it stands at the crossroads between Griffonia and Equus and has become a hotbed of piracy, pirates with air- no less. Despite his status as a warlord, Meyer rules the nation as a benevolent dictator, content to let his griffons be as long as they don’t interfere with his authority and allow him his antics. For years, he has let Haukland go with the flow, secure and thriving in its unique and rudimentary way but now, he seems bored with the status quo. And the Hauklanders know that Meyer is never as dangerous and unpredictable as when he is bored.
Starting Situation: Haukland is a small island nation located between the Equus and Griffonia continents. It consists of two island chains: the northern Winterhold and World’s End islands, and the southern Haukland islands, the latter of which holds Haukhamn, the capital city of Haukland. Haukland has a very low population, generally low social development levels, and very poor industry.
The Kingdom of Vedina maintains a land connection with Winterhold. It is worth considering fortifying this connection, as the loss of the northern islands, though not enough to ordinarily cause capitulation, would be a significant blow regardless. They hold nearly a third of the population, and a singular civilian factory. If this connection can be held, enemy forces may only enter Haukish territory through naval landings or para-drops, each of which Haukland can better handle.
Lore Haukland:
Haukland, Haven of Scum and Villainy: In its former years, the Hauklandish Isles lived in infamy as a safehaven for pirates and smugglers. Exiles fleeing prosecution or scandal would find themselves here. Its strategic location in the north of the Celestial Sea, between Equus and Griffonia, made it a natural point of stoppage. A special tax was levied on ersby treading the waters.
In spite of this, many Equestrian ponies traveled to the isles, using it as a base from which they would go elsewhere on the griffon continent itself. In this time, it became known as “The Crossroad”. The islands continued to grow in wealth and population, from traders ing through and settlers seeking adventure, in addition to less honest sources of revenue.
This time would eventually come to an end. The newly formed Griffonian Empire, under Kaiser Grover I, conquered the isles with ease. Under Imperial rule, Haukland was no place for scoundrels, and order was instated.
Before long, the Empire used Haukland as a stepping stone for future ventures of its own on Equus. Troops were stationed at Haukland before being sent to forcefully carve a colony for the Empire, founding Nova Griffonia in 783 ALB from the coastal holdings of the Yaks and Penguins.
With time however, naval technology advanced, allowing for greater range, and with time, Haukland declined. It was no longer the crossroads it had once been, nor the smuggler’s den, and ships advanced enough could by it entirely. Relatively isolated from the rest of the Empire, the hive of scum and villainy became naught but a simple fishing province.
Hermann Meyer’s Wild Ride: In 978 ALB, the Empire was thrown into chaos. Years of instability and unrest have culminated in the Republican Uprising, and many of its former vassals secede, the young emperor having fled the capital. The Griffonian Republic is declared. Kemerskai and other officers lead the revolt, among them, a young griffon named Hermann Meyer. Meyer was a gifted, charismatic, if eccentric, pilot in the recently-founded Imperial Air Force before the revolution, and was instated as head of the new Republican Air Force, though he ultimately cared little for the Republican dream.
The republic didn’t hold control for long, and was overthrown by the Counter-Revolution in the next year. Meyer, rather than die “in the defense of a fool’s dream”, fled to Haukland with all of his pilots who would follow, to make their own place in history. Together, they dropped everything, and took off. Their cross-country flight ignored all warnings and hails from either side’s forces, and stopped for nothing, save for Meyer giving air as a favor to a Republican officer. This mad dash would later be known as the “Wild Ride”.
“Meyer’s Flying Aces”, as they would later be known, arrived at Haukland and Meyer declared himself as its independent ruler. There was no resistance, the garrison having either deserted or left for the war on the continent. The populace accepted, having long lost their spirit, expecting the Empire to return. But it never did.
Under Meyer’s rule, Haukland’s legacy has been revitalized. The harbors became a haven of piracy once more, with Meyer’s aircraft giving a much needed edge over modern ships. The Crossroads Tax was re-instated, much to the protest of surrounding powers, who sent threats, but ultimately conceded, determining it would simply be cheaper to pay the tax than fight the pirates. Meyer’s Haukland is dominated by cronies but has largely adopted a Laissez-faire policy, with loose regulations and low taxes. These only encourage more immigrants in search of opportunity.
Creatures come from all over the world for a bit of adventure and spoils. Who’s to say the self-proclaimed Graf can’t take a path of his own?
Biography: Onyx Star was born in a land-owning family in Gallopfrey and was far from the ideal foal: being unruly, easily distracted and prone to throwing tantrums. Being third in line and having little interest in the mining or logging business, Onyx Star was sent to Canterlot to study but after a year of parties, he failed his exams spectacularly. He was given a final option: the military academy. He agreed.
While he did a lot better in the military than he did in the classrooms, the instructors failed to teach him proper discipline and he was frequently sanctioned. After four years, he was kicked out and returned home for a bit.
The prodigal pony stole some money from his parents and fled to south-eastern Equestria where he ed various mercenary groups, at one point working for Dr. Caballeron. In 1003, he formed his own crew and began to sell his services at sea, protecting ships from pirates or working for them. Until he got the news that Hermann Meyer was recruiting.
The Author of the Art has a Group on VK, but I won’t tell you, guess yourself :)
The Author said that, It’s better not to give a link to the group, it’s almost inactive anyway.
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